Holger Rathgeber

Holger Rathgeber is a German author and illustrator of children's books. He has written and illustrated over thirty books, many of which have been adapted into films and television shows. Born in 1961 in Hamburg, Germany, Holger studied Graphic Design at the University of Applied Sciences in Stuttgart, Germany. After graduating he began experimenting with his own writing and illustrations, and in 1989, he wrote and illustrated his first picture book.

Over the course of his career, Holger’s works have been acclaimed both in his native Germany and abroad. He has won numerous awards for his writing and artwork, including the Austrian Children's Book Award as well as the German Youth Literature Award.

Holger’s books often take place in fantastical worlds and feature fantastic creatures, from talking animals to helpful fairies and magical creatures. These stories are often humorous, lighthearted, and full of the joy and spirit of the countryside, which Holger loves to illustrate. His artwork features naturalistic depictions of animals and people, set against the backdrop of gorgeous landscapes and beautiful old-fashioned buildings. His books are often about themes such as friendship, family, and nature, and his stories often involve animals as main characters.

One of Holger Rathgeber’s most well-known books is The Little Shepherd, a delightful picture book about a young shepherd boy and a magical lamb. The story is filled with humor, adventure, and heart, and teaches a lesson of kindness and friendship. It has been published in more than fourteen countries and translated into Spanish, Danish, Norwegian, Icelandic and Hindi. It has been adapted into an animated film, a television show and even a stage play.

Other popular works by Holger Rathgeber include The Fairy Ring, which tells the story of a young girl and her discovery of a special fairy kingdom, and The Witch’s Curse, an exciting fantasy tale about a brave knight who must undertake a quest to save his village from an evil witch’s spell.

In 2019, Holger received the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany for his contributions to children’s literature. Today, Holger continues to write and illustrate stories for children of all ages, bringing humor, joy, and above all, the spirit of the countryside to his stories. His books are sure to delight both adults and children, and serve as an escape to the magical worlds that Holger creates.